Are you a bit of a Pinterest fanatic combined with a love for the land and desire to recycle? Then the new Up-scaling for the Garden classes starting soon at Northeast Texas Community College might just be the place for you. Director of Agriculture, Rene’ McCracken will be sharing her love of environmental stewardship and passion for re-purposing “junk” in two sessions of courses offered through the NTCC Continuing Education Program.

“I developed the premise for the classes after watching episodes of ‘Junk Gypsies’ and ‘Picker Sisters’. I just love the idea of repurposing un-used items into one-of-a kind practical conversation pieces in my garden and home,” McCracken explained. There will be two sessions offering different topics and projects. The first session on September 30th and October 1st will include: A class project of creating a papercrete planter, and a discussion and planning of re-design for each student’s “found junk”. The second class meeting will see the completion of the individual projects. Each student is required to provide their own items to re-purpose. Tools will be provided by the NTCC Ag Department.

The second session held on October 7th and 8th includes: A group project of creating a vertical herb planter from wood pallets and individual student projects as in the first session. As an added benefit, students will have the opportunity to display and/or sell their individual projects at the NTCC Farmer’s Market on October 4th. Each session is made up of two classes. Students may sign up for the first or second session or attend both sessions depending on their interests. All classes will be held at the Elizabeth Hoggatt Whatley Ag Complex in Mt. Pleasant on FM 1735. Each night the classes will begin at 5:30 and conclude at 7:30 pm. Space is limited in the classes to 10 students and will be registered on a first come first serve basis. The fee for each session of two classes is $25 (Tuition: $15 and Fee: $10). The deadline to enroll is September 27th for the first session and October 4th for the second session.

If you would like to find out more information on the class or register contact Lisa York in NTCC Continuing Education at 903-434-8267 or lyork@ntcc.edu.